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Middle East news — August 12, 2026

Publications tagged with Middle East published on August 12, 2026 (UTC). This is a fixed calendar-day archive.

161 publications

  1. SocietyMiddle EastDefenseFraud

    International Drug Trafficking Ring Dismantled in Spain and Netherlands

    Spanish police, in collaboration with the Netherlands, have dismantled an international drug trafficking network that laundered money through real estate investments on the Costa del Sol. The operation resulted in the arrest of five people, including a high-value target for Europol and the leader of the organization known as 'the financial architect of the Costa del Sol'. The network introduced cocaine shipments into Europe through Rotterdam and laundered at least four million euros. Seized items include firearms, a drone, jewels, high-end vehicles, and mobile phones.
    5 sourcesSee all sources
  2. WorldPolicyMiddle EastDefense

    Colombia Joins U.S.-Led Coalition to Fight Drug Trafficking, Authorizes Joint Military Operations

    Colombia has joined the U.S.-led Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition and authorized joint military operations with the U.S. to combat drug trafficking and narco-terrorism, according to U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The new Colombian president, Abelardo de la Espriella, has requested U.S. collaboration in these operations. This move signals a shift in Colombia's approach to combating drug-related crime and marks a strengthening of U.S.-Colombia relations.
    19 sourcesSee all sources
  4. PoliticsWarMiddle EastGrid

    Iran Boosts Missile Production Rate

    A high-ranking advisor to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Mohammad Reza Naghdi, stated that Iran is producing ballistic missiles and drones at a faster rate than they are deployed. The IRGC announced that Iran is producing more missiles than it uses, and Naghdi noted that Tehran has many options for production. Iranian General Naqdi said Iran can continue the war for years due to its missile production capabilities.
    10 sourcesSee all sources
  5. WorldMiddle East

    Earthquake of Magnitude 7.4 Hits Colombia, Causing Widespread Damage and Deaths

    A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.4 struck western Colombia on Monday, August 10, causing significant damage and loss of life. The earthquake, which had its epicenter near San José del Palmar in the Chocó department, was felt across the country, including in major cities such as Bogotá, Cali, and Medellín. As of the latest reports, at least 234 people have died, and thousands more are injured. Buildings have collapsed, and rescue operations are ongoing. The Colombian government has declared a state of emergency.
    2,700 sourcesSee all sources
  9. WorldRegulatorsArrestMiddle East

    Taliban Arrests Two UN Workers in Afghanistan

    The Taliban authorities in Afghanistan have arrested two employees of the United Nations mission. The UN has confirmed the arrests, stating that they were detained by the Taliban's intelligence services. The reason for the arrests is not officially known, but reports suggest it may be related to a human rights report on the detention of women. The UN has not been granted access to the detainees since their arrest.
    12 sourcesSee all sources
  13. WorldLawLocal GovMiddle East

    University of Alberta Cleared to Dissolve Ukrainian Nazi Fund

    The University of Alberta has won a legal battle to dissolve a research trust named after Ukrainian SS veteran Yaroslav Hunka. The decision comes after a scandal erupted during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's 2023 visit to Ottawa, where Hunka received a standing ovation in parliament despite his past service in the Waffen-SS Galicia Division. The university argued that maintaining the trust could damage its reputation, and a court ruled in its favor.
    3 sourcesSee all sources
  15. WorldMiddle EastConflictGrid

    Russian Strikes on Kherson Disrupt Power and Water Supply, Causing Casualties

    Russian forces have attacked critical infrastructure in Kherson, causing disruptions in electricity and water supply throughout the city. The Central, Dniprovsky, and Korabelnyi districts are partially de-energized. The strikes have resulted in casualties, with at least two people killed and several injured. Emergency services are working to restore power and water supply, and residents are urged to prepare for prolonged outages.
    14 sourcesSee all sources
  17. PoliticsGovernanceWarMiddle East

    Iran Shifts to Offensive Military Doctrine

    Iran is transitioning from a defensive military doctrine to an offensive one, preparing its forces to conduct operations beyond its borders, according to Mohammad Reza Naghdi, an adviser to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. This shift is evident in recent appointments of hardline veterans to key military posts, signaling Tehran's readiness for a prolonged regional conflict despite ongoing negotiations with the US.
    12 sourcesSee all sources
  19. WorldMiddle EastChinaEarth

    EU Reaffirms Non-Recognition of Israeli Sovereignty Over Golan

    The European Union (EU) has reiterated its stance on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, stating that it does not recognize Israel's sovereignty over the territory. The EU calls on Israel to respect Syria's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within secure borders, and to comply with the terms of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement. The EU also supports the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) that monitors the Golan and urges Israel to refrain from actions that may undermine UN Security Council resolutions.
    6 sourcesSee all sources
  20. WorldMiddle EastEarth

    2.4 Million Afghan Girls Deprived of Secondary Education Under Taliban

    Since their return to power in 2021, the Taliban have left 2.4 million girls without access to secondary education in Afghanistan, according to the UN. This figure has increased by 200,000 in one year. Afghanistan is the only country where girls and women are deprived of secondary and higher education. UNESCO warns that if the ban continues, nearly four million girls could be affected by 2030.
    83 sourcesSee all sources
  21. WorldMiddle EastChinaEarth

    Train Kyiv - Chisinau Stops Near Airport

    Train No. 351 Kyiv - Chisinau will now stop at Reva station near Chisinau airport. Passengers flying out of Moldova Airport can inform the conductor and use a free shuttle to the airport from Reva station, avoiding the central station in Chisinau. This change was agreed upon by the governments of Ukraine and Moldova and announced by Ukrainian Railways and the Prime Minister of Ukraine.
    5 sourcesSee all sources
  22. WorldPolicyLegislationMiddle East

    U.S. Factory Fails to Produce Ammunition for Ukraine

    Despite receiving $533 million, an American factory operated by General Dynamics has not produced any usable 155mm shells for Ukraine. The factory in Mesquite, Texas, equipped with expensive Turkish machinery, experienced constant equipment failures, including robotic manipulators losing control and presses ruining munitions. By August 2025, the factory had missed eight deadlines and produced no ammunition, costing American taxpayers $533 million. Despite this failure, General Dynamics received new Pentagon contracts.
    7 sourcesSee all sources
  23. PoliticsExecutiveLocal GovProtestMiddle East

    Alejandro Moreno Files Complaint with U.S. Department of State Against INE Councilors

    Alejandro Moreno, national leader of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and senator, filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of State against three INE councilors - Arturo Castillo Loza, Rita Bell López Vences, and Frida Denisse Gómez Puga - after the electoral body decided to impose precautionary measures against him for using expressions like 'narco-party' to refer to Morena. Moreno requested a review of their actions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which allows for economic sanctions and restrictions on entry to U.S. territory. This move comes after a dispute with the National Electoral Institute (INE) and a precautionary measure requiring the removal of nine publications that used terms such as 'narco-government', 'narco-politicians', 'narco-dictatorship', 'Morena Cartel', and 'narco-party'.
    20 sourcesSee all sources
  24. PoliticsRegulatorsLocal GovProtestMiddle East

    South Korean Football Federation Scandal: Referees Received Sexual Services

    A scandal has erupted in South Korean football after a government report revealed that the Football Federation paid for referees' visits to massage parlors using corporate credit cards. The 'rose' scandal involves at least 8 payments totaling $4,000 during the 2011/12 season, with some incidents occurring before or after important World Cup and Olympic Games qualifying matches. The KFA apologized, stating that rules have changed since 2013 to prevent such expenses.
    5 sourcesSee all sources